Hi BillJ,

I bought a pair of F12's on AudiogoN, and they are as good as KR says they are. I have only heard the Studios at a dealer showroom, but they are also a good value. I personally prefer Revel, but you should listen for yourself if possible.

Cheers,
Devon

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Looking for opinions on floorstanders in the 1,200.00 to 1,600.00 USD range. Was heading for the Studio 60s v.4 with the G-Pal tweeter, but then read KR's review of the Revel F12 and went into vapor lock. Anyone have any A/B experience with these speakers? Would probably buy all matching speakers for 5.1 set-up but usage would be for 75% music/ 25% movies. Room 15 x 20, Yamaha RX-2400 av receiver, Denon 1930ci universal player, Signal Cable all around. Thanks in advance for any help.
-BillJ

You need to listen for yourself. Note that, despite my enthusiasm for the Revels, I kept my Studios.

Kal

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KR,
If you happen to read this post again do you think a comparison between the Studio Ref 100 v.3 or 4 would be a fairer comparison to the Revel F12 or JBL L-880/890 since they are all 3-ways?? Maybe the JBL's are four ways I don't remember at this very second. Just musing outloud. Thanks.
As always happy listening and best regards.
-BillJ

1. I do not think that the #ways is the best comparison parameter. Price and size might be.
2. I am unfamiliar with the JBLs and the Studio/100s.

Kal

Like above comments plus, I would consider which would sound best with your existing gear and also a question - do you plan to upgrade your gear with this next speaker purchase?

System integration.

The Vandersteen Model 2Ce speakers ($1500) are extremely hard to beat for that price range; the model 2 has been in production for over 25 years, in various iterations, and they keep improving. Every time Stereophile has reviewed them they end up in the recommended components list. They are full-range speakers with no bad habits and amazing coherence top-to-bottom. Many speakers in this price range have some good characteristics but some serious failings; the Vandersteens continue to satisfy when most others became tiresome in one aspect or another. If they have any failing, it is that they are a little soft below 40 HZ, but what speaker in this price range has killer bass below 40 HZ? I had the model 2 for 10 years and have had the model 3A for the last 10 years, and do not know of a better speaker for the money.
They are currently off of the recommended components list because of no recent review, but look back to April 2005 and they are there.

I agree with commsysman regarding the Vandersteen and i would like to add something.I value companies like Vandersteen quite a lot.The reason,they produce equipment with love and care and keep them on the market for years instead of "upgrading" them every few months and "pump up" the price every now and then.If the 2a was produced today it would cost close to $4000-4500.Consider it a bargain !

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Devon/Kal,
... I could hear the significant midrange difference between a 3-way with a dedicated mid-range driver (JBL's L890)

-BillJ

I have been wanting to audition the JBL L880/890 speakers, but haven't had a chance. (They were reviewed in October [?] issue of SP.) They do, however, seem gimmicky what with the "UHF-dome tweeter...to 40kHz". How many of us can hear above 20kHz? When you get a better listen let us know what you think.

I have listened to both the Revel F12 and B&W 604 SE. Both sounded very good and similar and cost about the same. I'm waiting for my local dealer to get the B&W CM7, to have a listen.

I would also look at the Triangle Hileade, and the floor standing Epos 303 at $700...if accuracy is your goal the B and W may be a better choice with the above. What I got from the JBL review was that they sounded very good for the money, but might be better suited to a home theater setting as the bass was a little more than just accurate.

Now one should feel bad about liking the JBLs and buying them. If you find them more to your liking...that is what you should do. This hobby is about YOU buying what YOU like and not what someone else says measures better.

Regards,

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I would also look at the Triangle Hileade, and the floor standing Epos 303 at $700...if accuracy is your goal the B and W may be a better choice with the above. What I got from the JBL review was that they sounded very good for the money, but might be better suited to a home theater setting as the bass was a little more than just accurate.

I stopped by Tweeter, this past weekend, and heard the JBL L890s. They were connected into a 5.1 home theatre set-up and did sound good but it was an ht set-up - they were playing an Eagles concert. I agree with you, Jim, about the JBLs bass. HT set-ups have too many "parts" for me...I'm only interested in 2 channel audio. I was hoping to hear the Epos but the local distributor doesn't have any to demo.

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Now one should feel bad about liking the JBLs and buying them. Regards,

I have a pair of JBL monitors I use in a small room and they work well.